Granger high school
Tri-Color Times
An open forum for student opinion and expression
TRICOLORTIMES.COM
January 2014 LVI-5
Six-second viral Vines take the Internet by storm By Tina Huynh FOR THOSE students who don’t know what Vines are, they are six-second clips of people dancing, singing, or doing absolutely anything for that short period of time. They’re absolutely unpredictable and even though they’re short, a lot of them tend to have major plot twists at the end that make kids want to watch the same video over and over again. It seems like everybody has been intrigued or insanely obsessed with watching these videos. Even some Lancers are getting involved and making their own Vines. “When I make my own Vines, they’re mostly just random stuff. My favorite Viner is Matthew Espinosa because he’s funny, and he doesn’t care what he does. I
watch them mostly every day, and my favorite ones to watch are the funny ones,” Jadira Hueramo (10) said. Vines are known for being funny and making people laugh to no end. They can make kids laugh for hours and still make them come back to watch more. “I like funny Vines the most because it makes me happy, and I get to laugh. That’s why I like Brent Rivera -- he’s funny and relatable,” Rachel Terrazas (10) said. But not everyone checks up or follows Vine just for the funny videos. “My favorites to watch are Jack & Jack, Liane V, Cameron Dallas, and Simone Shepherd. They’re all funny and attractive. I watch them every day, but my favorite
types to watch are six-second covers,” Tommy Chau (10) said. “I like to watch dancing Vines. I like the way they move. My favorite Viners are Nash Grier and Brent Rivera, even though they don’t dance. I like Nash because his little sister is so cute and Brent is so funny and relatable. I don’t watch Vines much because I’m mostly on Twitter, honestly,” Margarita Garcia (10) said. There are thousands of Vines to watch and most kids have a pretty hard time just picking one particular person to make as our favorite. There’s so many to choose from and they’re all so amusing to watch, so picking one favorite isn’t an option anymore. “I have way too many favorites! I love Mr. Carter, Matthew Espinosa, Taylor Caniff, Nash Grier,
Josh Kwondike Bar, Jack & Jack, and Cameron Dallas. I just love all of the Magcon family, really. I can’t pick just one. They’re all really cute and funny. It’s hilarious watching them… it’s the best thing ever,” Samantha Gonzalez (10) said. They’re often worth a smile. “I watch them literally every night. I stay up till midnight watching them and fall asleep in math class, but it’s worth it. My favorite type of Vines to watch are the one’s where they’re really dumb and funny at the same time. Where they can just go up to a stranger and hug them or something. Something really weird,” Gonzalez said. Vines are an old/new social network that has people hooked, but they’re not exactly complaining either.
Art Night Photos by Angel Figueroa
There are thousands of Vines to watch, and kids are trying to pick just one to watch at a time.
Slacker seniors face academic consequences By Brenda Nguy MANY seniors around Granger High School are relaxing and enjoying the hard work they have put in for the last three years. They aren’t having to worry about anything, while others who slacked off freshmen, sophomore or junior years are spending their last year getting credits together and trying to graduate in time. Matthew Gamonal (12) was behind on credits. He finished two packets for English in the summer, which was a nuisance when he wanted to be having fun instead of going to school. “Technically I had to do only one packet because I passed the test on the first English packet,” Gamonal said. He is on track to earn a district diploma but is bare-
ly getting by with 20.50 credits, but students need 27 credits to walk at graduation. “I don’t regret slacking off or anything. I had the time of my life in high school, and I wouldn’t want it any other way,” Gamonal said. Daisy Gutierrez (12) regrets not going to school and not turning in assignments on time. Because she procrastinated, she has to work extra hard her senior year just to graduate. She is making up 15 packets, and as of right now, she has eight packets to go. She failed science, English, geography, and world civilizations. And because she failed these classes, she wasn’t able to take drivers ed sophomore year, and still can’t because she doesn’t
have enough space in her schedule. Luckily for Gutierrez, her three years of taking French count as an English credit. She also finished four packets in the summer, but it cost her $25 each. “If I could go back in time I would go to school and do my assignments like I was supposed to, so I wouldn’t be in this situation, because the classes are easier than doing all of these packets,” Gutierrez said. She didn’t give up, because she had no other option. Her parents want her to graduate. Getting all credits together and being on top of things make everything so much easier for students like Wahkoowah Bia (12) did. Bia is graduating early be-
cause he completed all his credits and is done with school. Students like Bia who want to graduate early should talk to their counselors before senior year begins. The counselor will create a schedule filled with all the classes needed to finish early by the second semester, but these students need to be caught up on credits, of course. “Hard work does pay off. With all the left over time I’ll have because I don’t have school anymore, I think I might get a second job or just sleep all day,” Bia said. Students who don’t slack off and get all of their credits together have easy-going and fun senior years. However, students who choose to slack off will be stressing out the whole year.
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VOL. LVI Issue 5
January 2014, page 2
Lancers change throughout the years By Brenda Nguy EVERYONE has had that awkward moment in life where they try to find themselves. They go through many different phases throughout their adolescent life, and many are still going through that phase. Plenty of students at Granger have had an extreme transformation from what they used to look like back in elementary or the junior high days to how they look like today in high school. Moses Corales (12) wasn’t always the stud muffin he is now. As he was growing up, he went through the typical rocker/skater phase. Looking devilish in his clothes and wearing a long bowl haircut, people sometimes called him Bruce Lee. He had the skater look, but never picked up a skateboard. “Before I had braces I had Nanny McPhee teeth,” Corales said. He has had braces since he was in sixth grade, and still has them on. In ninth grade he finally cut his hair for a fundraiser he was doing and became who he is now. He liked how he was back in the day and how he is now. “I’m digging myself and I’m not looking back.” Corales said. But Moses still wants to change a little more in the future. “I want to be taller and want Beyonce to realize her deep love for me,” Corales said. Tarik Vu (10) was a little chubbier back in the day, had long black hair, and wore glasses. He changed a lot because he joined the swim team and learned how to be more social because of it. In seventh grade, he went through an emo cutting phase to fit in, but he realized it was dumb. Vu likes how he has changed. “I have so many friends now,” Vu said. “Joining a club can really change you and you can easily make new friends,” Vu said. In the future he wants to lose more weight and be fit. We have all had a dramatic transformation once in our lives. These were the few students who were willing to share their experiences. But in the end looks don’t matter and students should always love the skin they are in.
For many Lancers, growing up creates memories
By Nicole Garcia difficult but totally worth it at the graduation students split up and people, started sloughing to go on GROWING up is one of the hard- end. Staying in track and getting go their own ways. Some go to adventures and started falling beest things in life. Letting go of good grades is the perfect reward college, others start to work and hind in my classes. When I tried things that may hold someone for such a hard work,” Winder some just enjoy the fact that they to catch up, it was really hard,” down in their past and being a said. can actually stay home and rest. Misael Mendoza (12) said. better person are signs of matu“The hardest thing about being Every year in high school is an While some seniors wish they had rity. With graduation right around a senior is the fact that I know important year, though most stu- never slacked off, some freshman the corner some of the seniors soon I’m going to graduate and a dents don’t take the first couple of say they will not follow in those seem to be looking back and re- lot of people will split up,” An- years as seriously as they should. footsteps. “I am going to get good membering how much grades, pass all my classes, they have grown up since and I’m not going to fall they first came to Granger. behind because I want to Looking back at memoplay sports,” Izaiah Hays ries can always be a bitter(9) said. sweet feeling. Some memGraduation day is the day ories are fun and remind that a Lancer’s journey as you of happy times while a high school student ends, other memories seem to be the day most anticipated painful and depressing. for by seniors and also a “I remember when I first life-changing experience. came to Granger, I went to Some students already all the wrong classes for have planned what they a whole week, it’s funny will do right after gradunow that I think about it,” ation. After years of hard Benny Penrod (12) said. work, waking up early evLooking back to all the ery day, and doing tons of silly things that happened homework, it all comes to will always be fun but will an end. always bring nostalgia for Leaving high school those beautiful and fun comes with responsibilihigh school days that may ties, life gets real, but it’s a never come back. matter of putting effort and Lancers stay focused and keep their motivation; they know that their hard work is worth it. Being a senior comes with working hard to accomplish responsibilities. “My least favor- thony Amiker (12) said. Every year has a great impact on short term and long term goals. ite thing about being a senior is It seems like the hardest thing credits and the path to graduation. “My advice is not to slack off that I still have to get up early to about being a senior is saying Not taking school seriously the during school and to do your go to school,” Jonathan Winder good-bye to those friends who are first year seems to be a common homework because everything (12) said. “Not losing motivation only seen at school. “It sucks that problem among Lancers. will be easier when you are to wake up every morning and my senior friends are leaving,” “When I was a sophomore I caught up in your classes,” Jorcome to school can sometimes be Roldofo Gomez (11) said. After started hanging out with new dan Sanchez (12) said.
New column in paper: Gage’s news roundup
Column by Gage Winters THE INSPIRATION for my monthly current events article has come from the recent announcement of Ms. Robinson’s new course for her 3A class period. American Social Issues focuses on world events and social issues experienced by the people of America in the twenty-first century. The goal of American Social Issues is to find solutions rather just studying problems. So if you see your counselor in the next few days make sure to bring up this class change if you’re interested. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is known as a day for public and community betterment. Sometimes the day is just seen as an excuse to not go to work or school, but this year it should not be seen
as a day off, but rather a day on. Students can visit the career center to find out any recent service projects so that they can participate in the spirit of helping the community and improving their college applications. Whether it’s visions of Dr. King giving his famous “I Have A Dream” speech, or his antiwar effort, many acknowledge that he spent his time and ultimately gave his life, for the promise of equality and justice, so in turn we should all try and help our fellow citizens on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. THE RECENT death of Nelson “Madiba” Mandela at age 95 has caused widespread mourning in our world. The leaders of many countries including the U.S. sent their condolences to South Africa
regarding Mandela’s death. Some may wonder why his death is newsworthy. Mandela had frequently and publicly opposed the institution of Apartheid, a form of segregation in which one race subjugates the other. Mandela spent most of his 27 years of imprisonment on Robben Island, just off the coast of Cape Town. He was granted release from prison in 1990 due to an international lobbying cause. After his release, Mandela worked with South African President F.W. de Klerk to officially end Apartheid and subsequently the two shared the Nobel Peace Prize they received. Soon after he became the first African-American President of South Africa. MANY ARE content at the now-stayed gay marriage rights
in Utah, the week-long lift of the ban was a major win for the LGBT community in Utah, but the United States Supreme Court stopped the marriages while a federal appeals court discusses the case. Salt Lake City has one of the nation’s highest percentages of gay or lesbian couples raising children, moreover there were 3,309 same-sex couples in Utah last year as reported by the Williams Institute, a national think tank at the UCLA School of Law. The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals discussion of the case has temporarily put Utah’s recently married gay couples into legal limbo. The state’s opening brief is scheduled for February 3, and the plaintiffs are to respond by February 25.
Spring musical Annie is coming to the stage By April Cabrera LAST SEMESTER, Granger performed the amazing musical Peter Pan. Well, there’s a new musical now, the musical that Lancers are going to perform is called Annie. Tryouts for this play happened before winter break. During two days of tryouts, many Lancers auditioned for parts in Annie. “The tryouts were good, I was a little nervous,” Mackenzy Rolfe (9) said. Lots of the students that tried out were nervous. However, the directors made them feel comfortable and gave them more confidence to try their best. After all the waiting Granger, officially has the cast for the musical Annie. “Now that we’ve met the whole cast, we’re like a family,” Rolfe
said. Many Lancers don’t have an idea about this play, “This musical has a country feel to it. It’s going to be very different than what we’re used to seeing, so we’re going to add some modern things to this play,” Dallin Aston (10) said. Sadly that’s all the cast can say about the play at this point, they just want students to have an idea on it. The cast does enjoy being part of the plays; it’s an experience that’s amazing. “We would love it if more different people tried out for Granger’s musical because meeting new people is a good thing. We have different experiences,” Lindsea Wolfe (9) said. This cast very much encourages more people to just try out, giving
different people a chance to have this experience. Now for those students that had no idea that there was another play coming up in the spring, the cast was nice to give everyone a chance to see a sneak peek of this upcoming musical. Many people from the musical have experience doing other plays; others just wanted to join in the fun. “Yes, joining the play is just an amazing experience, you meet lots of new people that have the same interests as you,” Odalys Zarate (9) said. Being the pit is a little bit different; it’s all about playing instrument to make the scenes seem more alive. It brings people’s attention to the play. Students in music classes are full of excite-
ment, because it is the first time Granger’s music program is going to be part of this year’s musical. Everyone in the cast encourages more and more people to join the plays here at Granger. “In theater,
you learn so much -- especially if there’s different people to meet and friends to be with,” Bree Johnson (9) said. Fellow Granger students will be working very hard to prepare a great show for everyone to watch.
Ms. Anderson is excited to stage her second production in the GHS auditorium.
January 2014, page 3
VOL. LVI Issue 5
Lancers recall favorite TV shows from the 2000’s
By Yohnathan Rivas IT IS 2014, and one of the best things about childhood was television. Everyone watched television. For some people, their life revolved around the TV. They would eat lunch, they would play and they would fall asleep while watching TV. Students here at Granger remember the old times when they would wake up early Saturday morning just to watch their favorite television shows. “I loved the original Pokémon! It was so fun to watch. I would watch it everyday after school,” Giovanni Arevalo (11) said. He would wake up on Saturday mornings to watch his favorite television shows. Arevalo’s favorite show was Dragon Ball Z. “I loved the fighting, the intense talks, and all the emotion the show would put out. I remember watching Dragon Ball Z in Spanish. Honestly I would still watch Dragon Ball Z -- I wish it was on Netflix,” said Arevalo. However, Brad Guthrie (12) did not like Dragon Ball Z. “I
grew up watching Ed-edd-eddy. It was one of my favorite shows to watch because every episode had something different. The Jawbreakers always looked so good! I remember coming home from school and it would be on the tv and I would sit down just watching and watching and watching it as much as I could. They had the goofiest scenes,” said Guthrie. “When I was growing up I would always watch Nickelodeon. My favorite shows were The Fairly Odd Parents, Adventures of Jimmy Neutron, Hey Arnold, SpongeBob, and Cat Dog. I would sit down for hours just watching those shows. It would come on, one right after another! It was amazing,” Bryan Guzman (11) said. Guzman would wake up on Saturday mornings to watch the new episodes of Dragon Ball Z and Yu-Gi-Oh. Bryan loved the battles because they always did something new. “Case Closed was also one of my favorite television shows,” said Guzman. “I remember I would watch
Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy. That show had some amazing scenes. The show was so random. The scenes were so cheesy. I think I liked it so much because they said the most idiotic things. I also loved Chowder because it was around the same lines as Grim. These shows were always enjoyable to watch,” Juan Damian (12) said. Damian would
also wake up on Saturday just to watch Dragon Ball Z. He loved the amazing battles and the planetary destruction. “My favorite show to watch in 2000-2010 was Courage the Cowardly Dog. It was a good show, because it would have the funniest scenes. I miss that show and I wish they could bring it back to Cartoon Network,” said
Alfredo Villa (12). Alfredo also loved Dragon Ball Z. “I remember waking up on Saturday mornings just to watch the new episode of Dragon Ball Z.” He would love it if Netflix would put Dragon Ball Z on their instant stream. He thinks that would make more people want to have Netflix, because he knows everyone loved that show.
One of the best things about childhood for many Lancers was television -- especially Dragon Ball Z cartoons.
Reading program offers prizes Promotion by Ms. Ward THE GRANGER Reads for Love reading contest will begin on February 1. Students who check out a lovethemed book from the library during the month of February will be entered into the drawing. A winner will be chosen each week, and the winner will be announced on Fridays. The winner will receive a gift bag that includes a Barnes
and Noble gift card, a Cafe Rio gift card, Granger gear, and an author-signed book. Students are invited to post about books they read, and they should add @GrangerReads to learn more about fantastic books and the people who read them. Students should also ask their teachers what books they are reading. A few teachers have tiles that
list their current books, and those teachers should be happy to discuss what they are reading. Other teachers have extra books they sometimes lend to students. There are books everywhere -now start reading. Look for more reading in every classroom and in every subject area as Granger’s faculty and staff join the students in this celebration of all things literary.
Teens addicted to social media
By Jennifer Ochoa ing up on grades. and she responded. We talked for FROM LIKING a picture on “I spend about four hours on a pretty long time until finally Facebook to favoring a tweet Facebook and Twitter just scroll- one day I asked to hang out. We on Twitter, social media has being through my newsfeed. It clicked, and we have been friends come one of life’s daily routines. makes me procrastinate a lot. I ever since,” Domnick Segura From obsessive checking of get less of my work done after (12) said. phones to uploading of pictures being online, and I get less sleep Based on the usual reaction to on Instagram, social media has because of it,” Isaias Rogel (11) phones at school, it seems that taken over many Lancers’ lives. said. adults at Granger High believe It’s all the same -- tweeting Students spend more time on the that students having phones at 140 words or filmall is a bad idea, and ing six-second vines that all students do is -- all these platforms spend time on their distract students from phones. their homework. They It’s like they don’t even forget to do even pay attention in chores. class and they miss Social media also what they are suptends to trigger adrenposed to be doing. aline, which makes soBut the students at cial media a lot more Granger High beaddicting to kids. lieve a whole differ“I’m going to admit ent thing. “I believe it, I am addicted to that the teachers get Facebook. I’m on it the bad vibe of using in class and at home. our phones not all stuI like posting up picdents use their phones tures and updating my just to be online and status about what I’m text. I use my phone doing. I also like to Olivia Nasialal may be a Facebook addict, but it’s all about friends. for Google searches. check up on people and see what Internet than anything, from right If I miss a day or two, I use it to they are up to,” Olivia Nasilal when they wake up until they go contact my friends and ask what (9) said. to bed. However, being on the In- I missed or what we did in class Social media detaches students ternet is not all bad. so I can catch up with my homefrom the real world. They tend to Students at Ganger use Face- work and missing assignments,” spend less time socializing while book or KiK to feel connected Benny Pendrod (12) said. out with friends and more time to other people and meet new Having Internet access on locked in their rooms. people. phones can have its ups and They post up about what they “I met one of my good friends downs. It depends on whether it have on their minds instead of because of Facebook, I messaged is used to help with school or used doing their homework and catchher randomly to meet new people for distractions that lower grades.
Tri-Color Times Staff Print Editor Kaitlin Cluff Online Editor Kaitlin Cluff
Managing Editor Kelly Sanmiguel Photo Editor Daryan Bauer
Reporters Brenda Aguilar Yamilex Apocada Maria Avila April Cabrera Naz Camacho Yuriti De Leon Victoria Espinoza Yessica Estrada Angel Figueroa Fernando Garcia Shannon Garcia Nicole Carcia Misty Garlick Tina Huynh Cassidy Hunter Aide Hurtado Lexi Johanson Halina Johnson
Reporters Dominique Josphes Samantha Lopez Rigoberto Lopez Yaqueline Lopez Antonio Loredo Taylor Molis Adilene Montelongo Brenda Nguy Jennifer Ochoa Yohnathan Rivas Mariana Rivera Melany Rivera Maria Tavares Marisol Torres Aaron Tuchawena Lucia Urcino Gage Winters Lyndsey Xa
The Tri-Color Times serves as a student forum for student opinion and student expression. The views expressed herein reflect neither the opinions of Adviser John Carlisle and Granger High School, nor those of Granite School District. The Tri-Color Times invites and publishes letters to its editorial board; all letters will be edited for taste, length and legality.
Granger High School 3580 South 3600 West West Valley, UT 84119 (385) 646-5320
January 2014, page 4
VOL. LVI Issue 5
Nostalgia fills holiday season
By Samantha Lopez Many kids mistake Christmas I got some One Direction concert MOST STUDENTS have had for just getting presents and they tickets and almost cried,” Bingagood memories during Christmas don’t think of the day itself and man said. time. Many malls and streets are what it means for others. As stuMost students like to be around filled with lights and caroling. dents start to grow up they think their families during Christmas The malls are crowded with all of what Christmas really means. and just take that day to not do the Christmas shopping that is “When I was younger my favor- anything other than enjoy each happening for family and friends. ite Christmas was when my mom other’s company. “I lived in CoThe lights in the houses are all put would cook her food,” Carlos lombia when I was little, and I up; so is the Christmas tree, the Cano (12) said. Christmas is all loved laying down with the famsmell of cookies and ily in the yard to watch hot chocolate starts to tons of fireworks go off roam the homes. at Christmas,” Daniel Christmas time is Chogas (12) said. for all of us to come People celebrate together and give to Christmas all over the others. It’s a time were world, it’s a day the the community comes whole world takes a together and gives to day off from their busy those who have less schedules and then than others. People gives back to children who celebrate Christand families that may mas might have not alhave not had anything Alma Mancera enjoys giving gifts she bought on her own. ways had a good memthat year. ory of it. about being with family and shar“Waking up and watching my “When Christmas came around ing stories and eating as a family. little sisters and brother open we had lived in a shelter home It’s about taking all the bad that their presents that I had bought and didn’t have much,” Belith happens that year and forgetting for them was my favorite part of Rodgriguez (12) said. But those about it. Christmas,” Alma Mancera (12) are the times that are cherished “My best Christmas memory said. the most. Students see those was when we sat around in our With the best Christmas memmemories and become thankful PJs and enjoyed each other’s ory there comes a best Christmas for what they have now. company,” Gretchen Bingaman gift. “When I was younger I got a “Even though we didn’t have (10) said. bike for Christmas and it was one much that Christmas it taught me Many of the Christmas gifts of the best gifts, because it was that getting things for Christmas are simple, but some of the best so unexpected and also because wasn’t important, but to be with gifts are the ones no one never ex- I have always wanted a bike that the people I loved was,” Rodgri- pected or thought that they might I could ride around my neighborguez said. ever get. “When I was fourteen, hood,” Arthur Lopez (10) said.
What to expect when buying a PS4
Review by Rigo Lopez THIS YEAR thousands of people will buy a PlayStation 4 or an Xbox One, and hundreds of others will feel left out. I’ve spent over two months with my PlayStation 4, and it’s cleat that for those looking to get the most out of their money, they can’t go wrong when buying the PS4. Retailing at $400, the PS4 is cheaper then its competitor and slightly more powerful. The console comes with the following; the unit itself, one controller, an HDMI cable and headset to play online. The design of the console is substantially smaller and lighter then the original PS3. The console can stand on its side, although I wouldn’t recommend it, because it can block the vents on its side and damage the system. The user interface of the system is much improved this time, and it will take just a few minutes to understand how it works. On the tech side of things, all that’s needed to know is that everything on a PS4 works marvelously on things like games, Netflix, and pretty much anything thrown at it. It’s 10 times faster
than the older console. The only downside to the system being faster is that games must be installed onto the hard drive, and the installs range anywhere from 18 to 50 GB. This means that at some point, games will have to be deleted the hard drive will have to be upgraded. A subscription to PlayStation Plus is required to play games online this time around. The online service is a great deal and gives great discounts as well as free games every month, as long as subscribers pay their bills to PlayStation Plus. However nonsubscribers interested in playing online can still enjoy services like Netflix, Hulu and party-chat with friends. The PlayStation 4 also comes with free games for download through the PlayStation store. That’s right: free of charge. Note that to do this, no subscription to PlayStation Plus is needed. When it comes to games to play at launch, there’s the yearly dose of Call of Duty, which is also available for the PS3. Aside from Battlefield 4, none fully take advantage of the system. As for exclusives, there’s KillZone Shadow Fall and Knack
This year thousands of people will purchase a PS4.
with Infamous: Second Son coming out on March 24. At this year’s CES PlayStation unveiled PlayStationNow, which is Sony’s answer to backwards compatibility. PlayStationNow will be making its massive library of PS3, PS2 and PS1 games available for streaming to PS4, PS3 and PSVita this summer. Sony also revealed that not only will players be able to stream to PlayStation devices, but also to smart phones, tablets and its new line of Bravia TVs. PlayStationNow will have a subscription model similar to Netflix’s, while players can also rent certain games one at a time. Sony said that they will be releasing more information later this year, but they have a target release of Summer 2014. This all increases the library of games kids will be able to play on their PS4 as well as give a glimpse at what the future of videogames will look like very soon. For anyone on the fence about pulling the trigger on the PlayStation 4, my recommendation is to buy it if satisfied with current systems. Although the games might not be there, this is still a great device that greatly improves over its predecessor. Something to remember is that this is not the same device gamers will have two years from now, and it can only improve from here on with updates to the software and changes to the system as well as PlayStation Now. Whether gamers spend their money on a PS4 or not, it’s still the right decision, and chances are it will improve more as time goes on. So I say it’s a good buy, but just not for everyone at the moment.
Russell Anderson plans to sell more beats this year.
New year’s resolution inspire students
By Misty Garlick LANCERS are ready for a new year to start. And a new year means a fresh start. Many Lancers want to make changes within themselves and make themselves better. Many Lancers are planning to get better grades and to graduate. “I don’t care for my grades at the moment, they aren’t the best. So I plan on making them better come the new year,” Daniel Magana (9) said. He would like to get a 4.0 and he knows he can do this because he has accomplished a new year’s resolution last year. Lots of Lancers believe it is a good idea to have resolutions to push themselves, and some Lanc-
ers have never made a resolution before. “I think it is a good idea to have one, especially if you have never had one before. There is always room for change,” Eddie Derbyshire (9) said. He plans on passing all of his classes by coming every day and turning in completed work. Another Lancer even plans on making his dreams this upcoming year. “I have been making beats for three years, and I would like to sell more this year,” Russell Anderson (11) said. He has already sold over 60 beats and plans on making this his career. “I want to make more this year, because I have been slack-a-lacking,” he said.
The swim team has a lot of team spirit that will never fade.
Granger swims to victory
By Brenda Aguilar MOST of the swimmers on the Granger High swim team joined because they wanted to learn how to swim. “In the summer I was very terrified to even go to the deep end of the pool. I then realized that I wanted to join the swim team at Granger,” Orlando Sanchez (12) said. He took first place in the 100-yard freestyle match. Now Sanchez is team captain, and he thinks it’s great. He’s the one who leads the team cheers. “I even made costume buttons with their names for everyone that’s on the swim team.” The swim team’s first match was great. Although they lost, they still had fun and never lost team spirit. There was so much sports-
manship; even the other school started cheering for Ganger. Karina Balcazar’s (10) favorite thing about the swim team is that they are all like a family they’re very close. “Swimming! It’s amazing how easy you can learn how to swim. I just love the feeling of the water: it releases my stress,” she said. She joined the swim team because she wanted to lose the fears she had for water and drowning. She also joined because of her friends. “My best experience is being a part of something other people enjoy doing,” Balcazar said The people on the swim team are very supportive and that’s basically what it’s all about it’s not always about winning.
VOL. LVI Issue 5
Januay 2014, page 5
Readers create imaginary worlds
Belith Rodriguez loves to read, because it puts a smile on her face.
By Halina Johnson IMAGINATION is a great part of the mind; it can open up new ideas and a form of entertainment. Books are a part of the author’s imagined world, a different world of mystery and excitement. The idea of books is to learn, but as well as creating a movie in one’s own mind. There are so many genres in books it is hard to choose which one to like. “I enjoy mystery and fantasy. My favorite book is ‘Illegal’ because it helped me understand more of what my students are going though in their lives,” Mr. Okeson said. Reading can calm the mind into one thought, it is also very interesting to see how the authors minds are, being able to have a sense of someone else’s piece of imagination. It is almost like putting on a play.
“I am currently reading a book called ‘Host’, it is about an alien race that has taken over the world with their minds. A girl who is in love with a boy is fighting against these aliens for her mind so that she is able to love him,” Belith Rodriguez (12) said. Words can create emotion; books have a great deal of intense parts, just like a movie. In most occasions the book is better than the movie. In the book ‘The Hunger Games’, they release the dogs toward the end of the movie and the book; but the movie had left out the most important part of the book. They movie left out the dogs real descriptions, the dogs were suppose to have the faces of the characters that have died off during the hunger game. With their faces and the dog’s bodies, they were supposed to be a very disturbing part of the book.
“My favorite book is ‘North of beautiful’, it is about a girl that has scars on her face. She is very self conscious about her scars but in the end she realizes that she has confidence,” Claudia Torrez (12) said. A book can help inspire the mind, and help it form new ideas; not only could a book inspire the mind, it can also open up minds of the young and old. Reading is also very good for the mind, by reading you can learn and explore. “I recently read a book called ‘My Sister’s Keeper’, and it is also a movie. It’s about a girl who has a twin sister, her sister has cancer and being a twin she has the same of everything. She has given her sister organ after organ, now she is fighting in court for her own body against her parents,” Lisa Gailey (12) said.
Tyson has plunged into the world of electronic music By Kelly Sanmiguel WHILE most Lancers spend free their time listening to music, Tyson Christman (11) spends his producing it. “I make all sorts of electronic music such as: dubstep, electro, and liquid drum and bass,” he said. Christman describes his sound as very “melodic”; he prefers having his audience feel rather than just listen. The beginning of Christman’s producing career was sparked by a fascination for electronic music three years ago. He had two main reasons as to why he decided to become a producer. “I felt like it was a way I could express myself without having to talk to other people. I also feel like creativity is limitless through electronic music,” he said. Christman started out not really knowing exactly what he was doing; yet his inspiration came from many different genres. Two main inspirers were Rogue, and Must Die who contributed with their unique styles, and even
a little bit of wisdom by giving feedback on demos which he sent in to them. “They both taught me some valuable producing techniques, and I’m more than grateful,” Christman said. However, like many others, he had to start from scratch. He began by making melodies, “I wasn’t very good at all when I started,” he said. It was a humbling beginning for his journey that has brought him much improvement and even a chance to sign with not just one but two labels. “Sky Child” is the name in which Christman produces under signed with an unnamed label, but wasn’t too happy with it. This led him to sign with Wolfgang, with which he will be releasing music within the next few months. The future is a scary thing to think about sometimes, but Christman is very optimistic, “I didn’t really think I could do anything to lead me to success but after I started to realize how great it all was, I knew I wanted to do it
as a living,” he said. Obstacles are inevitable sometimes, yet they build strong character. “The biggest obstacle for me is getting a song to turn out the way I want it. Sound design is very tricky, and it gets upsetting when it doesn’t turn out the way you want,” Christman said. Another thing in which he has struggled with is writer’s block. Writer’s block is that moment in which your creative juices just stop flowing. It’s normally a temporary thing which can easily be defeated by going out with friends, clearing the mind, or like in Christman’s case, by playing some Zelda. “A lot of my stuff is strongly based off of the Legend of Zelda,” he said. The perfect music atmosphere for him is a quiet place that is full of visuals such as posters. It may make one wonder how he is able to juggle his newfound career while competing on the debate team, but it’s become pretty normal. “I do my best to coordinate. I’ll come home and start on homework and try to finish it all
by 5:00 p.m. to have the rest of the evening to work on music,” he said. Christman has perfected this schedule so well, that he has become part of the class of 2014 by acquiring the required credits to graduate early. “Sky Child” had a few words of advice, “Let anything and everything inspire you. There are
no limitations on creativity. Practice. It will get very frustrating at times but if you love it you’ll stick through it. Also do research to help yourself learn, dedicate a lot of time,” he said. Not all good things come too easy, they can take a lot of time and frustration, but when one is willing to work and put in effort, anything is possible.
Tyson Christman tackles beats and studies with serious dedication.
Lancers anticipate arrival of their favorite TV shows By Melany Rivera THE HALLS are buzzing with excitement for the premieres of Lancers’ favorite TV shows. They are going all out with plans to welcome the new seasons of their favorite TV series. Some students are planning to have a little get-together with some friends and others are preparing to have an all-out junk food all-nighter with family and friends. “I’m going to have some friends come over so we can watch the season premiere of The Walking Dead together,” Karina Carrasco (9) said. Some Lancers prefer to spend the night alone on their couches while munching on some junk food alone. “I’m going to watch Teen Wolf and Pretty Little Liars all by myself. My family doesn’t exactly like watching the same shows that I do, so I just stay alone and watch them by myself, which I find pretty relaxing,” Diana Dinh (9) said. Not all students are excited for
the whole season of the show, they’re more excited for a couple of episodes that their favorite celebrity will be appearing in. Some students may not be into the show at all, but when they see their favorite celebrity, they know it’s going to be good. “I don’t really watch TV much, but if had to choose one I guess it would have to be Ridiculousness because Justin Bieber was in it a couple times,” Margarita Garcia (10) said. Everyone has a favorite type of show that they enjoy watching and ones that they don’t like. Some may love romantic dramas and may dislike comedies and others may enjoy a good scare but hate the whole mysterysolving type of show. “My favorite show is Ridiculousness because it’s really funny, so if you like laughing then you have to watch this show because it’s amazing,” Kaiya Sheppard (9) said. There are different reasons why students enjoy the shows they
watch. Some like the suspense and some just enjoy the action. Other students may not even watch a TV show for the action but just for the stars in the show. “I’m a Vampire Diaries fan for sure. I’m extremely excited for the premiere, since I get to see all the hot guys that come out in the show. It’s not only because of the boys though, but because I love the way it has a little bit of romance and it’s so intense,” Dayana Diaz (9) said. Granger students talk about why they enjoy their shows. Some students would talk about their shows all day long if they could, because they’re full-on fans. Some even say that the show can teach certain skills that can be used in our daily life. “I’m waiting for the premiere of The Walking Dead because it’s my favorite show. I love that show because of the zombies and because if the zombie apocalypse does happen, I know that I’ll be able to survive like a pro,” Brian Tran (9) said.
January 2014, page 6
VOL. LVI Issue 5
Girls’ nights build friendships and relieve stress
Angel Figueroa doesn’t just write articles, he covers events with a camera, too.
Kids enjoy journalism By Taylor Molis LANCERS enjoy reading the school paper every month, but it isn’t something put together by a magical genie. The Tri-Color times is created every month by the students at Granger. Being a journalist for the Tri-Color Times can be very fun. “I think the best part about writing for the school paper is the freedom,” Yohnathan Rivas (12) said. “You meet plenty of new students, and it’s interesting to hear how people view things and what they say. A lot of the time, I will ask somebody something, and they give me a completely different answer than expected and I am just like, ‘Wow, I never thought about it like that.’ It’s always interesting.” But interviewing students isn’t all that matters, journalists must first find a topic to research and write about. Most topics revolve around things or events that recently happened, but there are a few outlandish topics that make their way into the paper. Many students find themselves stuck in the journalism classroom, struggling to come up with something new and fresh. “It’s very challenging at times,” Misty Garlick (12) said, another journalist for Tri-Color Times, “But if you have a fresh topic and know how to approach it, it can be pretty simple. I think a hard part is finding good people to interview,” she continued, “Some kids are nervous when being interviewed, I guess, and they give really short answers to our questions instead of telling us more. That can be kind of awkward.” Interviewing peers can be irri-
tating, but sometimes they are a great source of information, many students like Garlick go their classmates for article ideas. “Kids are a good source, you would be surprised at some of the stuff they know. But when I am not going to them, I am looking all over the place for a topic. Like, the news, school announcements in the morning and social media. Or we can ask Mr. Carlisle, he always has good ideas.” Mr. Carlisle, the journalism and photography teacher, just might be the genie mentioned before. He oversees everything, organizes the paper and makes sure everything is perfect with the newspaper. “Journalism is fun to teach” he said, “Students have to be selfmotivated and research their own topics. It’s very fun and interesting to see what they discover.” “Being a journalist here at school is a lot like the profession, you meet people you normally wouldn’t meet and go places you normally wouldn’t,” Carlisle said. But writing and experience aren’t everything; the paper has to be printed, too. “The paper is printed at the Transcript Bulletin in Tooele. They print 3,000 copies for us, which feels like a lot, because last year we only needed 1,600 copies,” he said. “We had to get more for the amount of new students coming into the school. The Transcript Bulletin is very efficient, usually delivering within 48 hours or so.” Writing for the school paper is definitely a great experience and definitely a great way to get to know students and other things here at Granger High School.
By Kate Lopez GIRLS’ night out is a fun topic girls like talking about. From making the funniest memories, to catching up on the latest gossip, or sometimes even getting to know each other, it’s a common thing girls do for fun. “Hanging out with your friends and getting a little time off is the best,” Maria Tavares (11) said. “ ‘Girls’ night out’ is when a bunch of girls hang out and do fun stuff,” Anna Fuller (12) said. “Not many girls consider taking a girls’ night out, but they should because it relives stress and it’s a fun thing to do. It’s also a good way to stay out of trouble. Since I’m a senior I like to go clubbing,” Fuller said. But there are many things to do for all age groups such as movie nights, outdoor activities, sometimes random things that just come to mind. After school sports and getting together with your friends can be fun, but we sure know a girls’ night out involves a lot of food. “It’s fun to go to the grocery store dressed in the weirdest things, it’s a fun thing I always do with my friends,” Fuller said.
It’s a fun way to get the weirdest and funniest memories. That’s also how girls meet a lot their friends. “A fun memory I have from girls’ night out is when my friends and me were out clubbing in Bosnia. We walked up the stairs while wearing high heels and we all stumbled and fell. My friend ended up hitting her head on the bathroom door,” Almedina Zahirovic (12) said. On a night out, girls don’t necessary have to go out. They can just stay up all night talking and hanging out with friends. “Me and my best friend Michelle have movie nights really often,” Sierra Gomez (10) said. Gomez said she has so many memories because of girls’ nights out. It’s a fun experience and a good way to bond with your friends she said. “Each time me and my friends fight for dumb reasons we all make it up by going out and having a little fun,” Nancy Alvarez (11) said. “It’s a way to get to know your friends and even help them with
hard things they might be going through such as break ups or other types of problems,” she said. “Make it fun or I won’t go,” Adriana Mulato (10) said. Mulato thinks a girls’ night out should be fun and stress-free. That is exactly what a night out is meant to be: a fun time with friends. A night out is the best way to make memories to remember forever. So when students look back at high school years, they will remember the fun exiting times of their youth. “Utah doesn’t have many places for teens to hang out, but we make it work,” Stephanie Perez (10) said. Perez says she and her friends like to hangout at the mall, shop for some stuff and grab a nice lunch. “It’s kind of a routine we do like once a week,” said Perez. She says that not many girls do it but they should try it because it’s a fun experience. “A girls’ night out is a fun way to remember your high school experience,” Kaitlyn Watson (12) said.
Kaitlyn Watson thinks that a girls’ night out can become a cherished high school memory.
Fitness resolutions test Lancers’ willpower
As a new year’s resolution, Christian Avellaneda will continue healthy habits.
By Marisol Torres A NEW YEAR means new resolutions. To lose weight is one of the top common new year’s resolutions but it’s also the hardest one to achieve. As much as many try to accomplish their goals to their new year’s resolutions, there always seems to be something that gets in the way. In this situation the holidays and the cravings for fast foods is what makes it hard for others to stay committed. It’s hard to resist all the delicious food your family has prepared. All the delicious food you smell every time you drive past a fast food restaurant when you are in your car. Usually many convince themselves to eat as much as they want and will work it out another day to burn it off, but that’s not the case. If you eat one M&M you would have to run 120 yards just to loose that M&M. there about a
53 M&M’s in a small bag that’s means that you have to make up over three miles of walking. There are also those students that don’t have the time to go to the gym and burn those calories. Since it’s really close to the end of the term, students are more focused on getting all that late work in and trying to raise those grades. So it’s obvious why Granger students would be committed to lose weight this year. “I can’t resist all the delicious food; it’s just to good. Eating and exercising: it’s just not my thing,” Christian Avellaneda (12) said. Besides all that, there are some Granger students that are committed to losing weight. They will do anything to lose weight from drinking protein drinks to exercising two times a day. “I love exercising. I like having a good looking body, and I love the feeling of being healthy, although it
sometimes can be a little hard,” Melisa Saxton (12) said. It’s hard to stay committed but never impossible to achieve. There can be times when it just gets too hard when it seems easier just to give up, so it’s important to have something or someone that keeps a successful Lancer from quitting. “My motivation is to look good and feel good,” Saxton said. There are many ways that students go out and exercise. Many go out to run for miles, others lift weights at the gym, and others play sports. “What I do to exercise and stay fit is I play soccer over the weekends. I play Friday through Sunday. It’s good for me because it makes me stay in shape and makes me feel healthy,” Isabel Tapia (12) said. Students should try to accomplish resolutions this year.
January 2014, page 7
VOL. LVI Issue 5
Students make goals for 2014
Braden Coleman and Nick Wetenkamp jump in anticipation of success.
By Lyndsey Xa EVERYONE wants to accomplish something big before they walk out the doors and leave all of high school behind. Some Lancers at Granger have taken to creating goals and bucket lists of what they want to achieve before the school year ends. Whether it is an adventurous goal or an educational achievement, students at Granger have widespread goals. As the year draws to a close, most seniors think about graduation. “All I want right now is to graduate and be done,” Alma Mancera (12) said. “I want to get into a good college and start the new chapter in my life,” she said. “My biggest goal right now is to graduate,” Andrew Perks (12) said. With graduation coming sooner and sooner, senioritis has slowly grown upon most seniors. Dropping student motivation for school. “At this point, I just want to say I came to school every day.
It [is] getting harder to want to wake up in the morning,” Olivia Wynn (12) said. “I want to go on a road trip to the Grand Canyon with my friends,” Nathan Hubner (12) said. He has already started gathering up all his friends and making plans for this senior trip. Before Hubner leaves on his senior trip, he has big goals in which he wants to finish at school first. “I want to go to state for both drama and tennis this year,” he said. “Plus, I’m trying not to slough any of my classes and pass them all,” he said. While some students’ goals are based around academics, other students have made more eccentric ones for themselves this school year. “I want to be the Beyonce of Granger High School,” Danielle Martinez (12) said. “Beyonce is fierce, and so am I,” she said. “I have not been to a wild party like you see in the movies,” Dan-
iel Chogas (12) said. “I’m either going to throw a massive party or go to one for sure,” Chogas said. “I think it would be nice to own a platypus before my senior year is over with, I’ve always wanted to own one of those,” Moses Corrales (12) said. Bradon Coleman (12) and his group of friends are known for the crazy stunts they have pulled throughout their years here at Granger. From all the bizarre costumes they have worn to football games to the eccentric clothing worn to school dances. “This years goal is to streak across the baseball field during one of the games,” Coleman said. Whether it’s making their last year amazing, going on road trips, becoming Granger’s Beyonce, or striving in school, Lancers at Granger High are working on completing their goals and accomplishing great things this year. We can’t wait to see the outcome of all their hard work.
Some received new phones as gifts By Jennifer Lopez NEW PHONES like the iPhone 5s are popular. A lot of students have them because they like how they work. “I got the iPhone 5s because I like how they are. It’s easy how they work,” Laura Carrada (9) said. A lot of people say that they break their phones fast, because it’s hard not to drop them. “I broke my phone right when I got it,” Carrada said. Some people don’t have any insurance. That is why they can’t get a new one. “I had no insurance, so I had to pay more for a replacement.” People say that sometimes they don’t get the newest phones because they cost too much, but some people can afford it. So people just get the ones that were new before the newest ones. Students sometimes buy their own phones, but not very often. Mostly parents
are the ones who buy the phones. “I had it for a month already, and I’m trying not to break it,” Carrada said. Students are trying to keep their phones in good shape. “I think it’s pretty hard to keep a phone in good shape because students take them everywhere,” Sandra Serna (9) said. “I had to clean the house to get the phone that I wanted,” said Serna. Some students have to work to pay their phone bills. Some just have to clean their rooms or do other chores. Students could take care of their phones just by leaving it at home when they are not using them. They can put them somewhere safe where they won’t get broken or stolen -- their parents pay good money to buy it. Most of the people that get phones break them right away when they get them.
“I broke my phone right when I got it,” Serna said. Simply putting a phone in a safe place can help a lot for parents and students. And if they take good care of it, they might receive an upgrade to the new ones that are coming up because their parents see that kids really do take care of phones. Most people get their new phones on Christmas or their birthdays. Some people just get them as a reward after earning good grades. Some people just get them because they have the money to get a new phone. Just by taking good care of them, phones can last a long time. Then no one will have to pay for another phone just because theirs is broken. That is why it is important to take care of phones when kids get them. Kids can’t afford to pay a lot of extra money.
Many kids like the new phones they got for Christmas.
Lancers offer some advice: first date do’s and don’ts
It sometimes takes courage to ask someone out on that first date.
By Cassidy Hunter A FIRST date can be pretty scary. For boys, that long walk to the door with jelly legs, sweaty palms, and brains all turned to mush is nerve wracking. Not to mention when her father opens the door coincidently at the same time he happens to be cleaning the barrel of a gun. As for the girls, the hair, make-up, and outfit have to be perfect. The constant “Do I look okay?” questions asked as they pace the floor waiting for their dates to arrive. It is okay to be a little nervous when it’s the first date. And according to some Granger Lancers, there are certain rules that need to be followed when heading out for the very first time. “Act like yourself. But if you are mean then don’t act like yourself. Basically be nice to her!” Derek Dapp (12) said.
Not everyone is the lead of the school musical, so why go on acting like someone else the entire night? Especially if a second date is involved, because then the acting may never have a chance to end. Also of course, kindness is always the key. No one wants to continue a date with someone being ruthless and rude. “Don’t talk about religion or the deep stuff. Keep the conversation light. And do not just talk about yourself the whole time,” Nathan Hubner (12) said. No one wants to tell their deepest darkest secrets to someone brand new. Hubner’s philosophy could be the way to go for most people. Get to know someone a little bit before starting to dig for the deep stuff. Sharing is caring. According to Hubner it is best to share the talking and not just hog it all; let the other person
speak without interrupting. “Keep it fun! No cuddling dates for the first date,” Ciearra Everill (11) said. She said that the best kind of first date is to go do something like mini golfing. Cuddling on the couch and watching a movie is not a first date for her. “Don’t kiss on the first date either,” Everill said. She explained how the other person might get uncomfortable about it, and then somebody will either end up wasting their first kiss when they didn’t want to or end up rejected. These Lancers may have some fine first date advice, but perhaps it’s not for everyone. However dating is done, it is something that doesn’t need to be stressed over. It is something that this generation’s parents obviously figured out, so it is nothing for Lancers to worry about too much.
VOL. LVI Issue 5
January 2014, page 8
Movies you can catch this month
By Rigo Lopez LESSON number one for anyone who doesn’t know much about movies is that the first few months in theaters are the worst to go watch and for that reason I have compiled a few movies that you should be on the lookout for this month. First off, there is I, Frankenstein on January 24. Which by the looks of the trailer looks like as dorky a movie about Frankenstein getting superpowers and saving the world can get. But, I would really recommend you go to this movie with some discretion, because often times, movie trailers try to put the best in them, and when the best really doesn’t look that great, you should worry. If you really want to watch a movie about a zombies who have
feelings or a fun take on Frankenstein then I would recommend renting Warm Bodies or Frankenweenie. On January 31, That Awkward Moment starring Zac Efron, follows three best friends with dating issues. This is a movie that people are either going to hate or love. There are two ways to approach this. Number one: if you found the trailer to be amusing and are a fan of Zac Efron then perhaps you will have a good time with this movie. Number two: if you weren’t able to last trough the entire trailer, then skipping this movie is for the best. That same day, Best Night Ever hits theaters and promises to be the worst thing to hit theaters this year. This movie seems to be put together last minute. All you need
to know about this movie is that is bad and you should not watch this for any reason, unless you want to have the worst night ever. February 7 brings us The Monuments Men starring an impressive cast featuring George Clooney and Matt Damon along many others. Needless to say this movie is very promising in terms of acting. However the story, not to be outdone by mere actors, takes place during World War II and it tells the story of a squad tasked to rescue masterpieces from Nazi thieves and return them to their owners, all in the name of art. Look forward to the release of this movie, as it will probably surprise you. Whether you love or hate the reboot, February 12 brings about the original iron man: RoboCop. The trailer for this movie got old and new fans screaming. Let’s hope RoboCop can save Detroit as he battles evil corporations in the name of justice. Last and least is About Last Night and Needless Love, no pun intended as they make their way to theater February 14. Assuming some guys will get dragged into one or the other, I will try and show what you are getting into. About Last Night is romantic comedy that views couples as they journey trough their very interesting issues. Expect some laughs in this movie so you might be laughing at least laughing all or throughout. Endless Love is the reboot of a 1981 movie. There might be something of worth in this movie, but frankly I just don’t see it, based on the trailer. This is the typical story of a girl and a guy who fight for their love, as parents and other people oppose their love. Spend your money wisely Lancers, and I’ll keep on checking the trailers for all your movie options.
Dalton Mortensen and Carlos Martinez know that practice makes perfect.
Wrestlers work hard to earn region title By Mariana Rivera THE WRESTLING team took region on January 30. Now going to state is more than just a dream; it’s a stone cold reality. “It’s the first region title Granger has earned since the 80’s. Mr. Ketchum was the wrestling coach back then, and his teams won 11 region titles,” Ms. Atkin said. Most of the time, they have tournaments during Fridays and Saturdays, so they have to work really hard during the week, too. It’s a demanding sport. “In the past tournaments, we have been doing pretty good, we still need more work, but with practice we can make it into state,” Dalton Mortensen (11) said. The wrestlers have a really busy schedule. They practice every day after school, and the days that they have red flags they work out the most and go out of practice early but that’s not all they do. On the days of the tournaments or meets, they have to get up early to be on
the bus, they come back around 10 p.m. or 11 p.m. at night. They also need to check their weight to see if they have it for their weight class. “We practice a lot before every meet. We always try our best during practice, so when we compete, we can go even farther. Some kids stay longer to practice: they are over-achievers. I’m proud of my team. Although we compete one by one, we are still a team,” Carlos Martinez (10) said. The wrestling team practices really hard, and all that effort paid off. Some of them have won medals. “When we go on the bus to the tournaments or meets, it is really fun to have a chat with a friend before we compete,” Mortensen said. When they ride the bus to go to tournaments, they always enjoy themselves before the competition begins. They talk to each other, warm up, talk to the other team’s wrestlers and check when individual matches happen.
Granger Lancers dream big
By Antonio Loredo “When I was little I always EVERYONE has a dream and wanted to become a stunt double some are bigger than others. because it looked cool,” Chase Not the dreams when sleeping, Spates (10) said. “But then I realdreams that become goals. ized I wanted to become an archiEveryone’s dreams differ. May- tect because you make a lot more be someone wants to be the presi- money.” dent of the United States or wants “You shouldn’t let anyone hold to be the next big you back. Not your corporate giant or friends or your even a rap star/DJ/ family if you want dragon, but it all something go get depends on ideals. it, work hard [and] Without dreams, succeed. I messed there wouldn’t be up a lot but now I any great ideas or realized that I’m goals for people not going to let to achieve. Everyanyone or anything body needs somehold me back,” thing to live for Spates said. and drive him or her Mikayla McGee has set her If one carries a to be the best they sights on law enforcement. dream, he or she could possibly be. shouldn’t let anyone get in the “My big dream is to become a way. Try hard to succeed and live K-9 trainer for the police,” Mi- a dream, it’s personal -- no one kayla McGee (9) said. “The way else’s. I’m going to reach my goal is, I’m If someone dreams that they going to do good in school and want to go far, go for it. Perhaps work hard.” the next Martin Luther King McGee has her goals set, she Jr. dwells within. Maybe one’s seems like she is pretty sure of dream could lead to the switch what she wants to do for herself. from using oil to more sustainDreams are found all around the able, clean energy and a better halls of Granger. future.